Title
Smart Fools
Scripture
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
(Proverbs 23:9)
Devotional
I have found that education and knowledge have very little to do with the foolishness of man. There are a lot of very smart fools in the world. Many are even successful in their field. Nevertheless they are fools if they forsake the ways of God.
The greatest of minds void of the knowledge of God are foolish minds. The most successful of leaders, without the leadership of Christ, are likewise foolish in their leading; for their leading is eventually the road to destruction. The soundest of man’s wisdom without the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit is sinking sand wisdom.
Therefore, we are to be very careful when we speak to the worldly wise man. To speak the things of the Spirit to the listening of the flesh is speaking in the hearing of a fool. Let us be slow to speak and quick to hear. Weigh the spirits before indulging in weighty conversation. You just may be speaking to a fool.
Text For The Day
Proverbs 23:9: Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Thought For The Day
“The error of youth is to believe that intelligence is a substitute for experience, while the error of age is to believe that experience is a substitute for intelligence.” Lyman Bryson, (1888-1959), American educator who was professor of the Teachers College at Columbia University
Questions To Ponder
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What do you think the Bible means when it says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies,” 1 Corinthians 8:1?
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Why do you think that so many educated people are either nominal or unbelievers?
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Likewise, why do you think that the Bible says, “that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called,” 1 Corinthians 1:26?
Morning Study Guide
Defining: “Fool”: Anyone who denies: the existence of God, the Word of God, the ways of God, the will of God, and obedience to God. In these there is no greater fool than the fool who fools himself.
Referencing: “The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God,” 1 Corinthians 3:19.
Applying: Do not attempt to reason with fools or drunks. The fool will mock and the drunk will cry.